Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 6/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Original Paper

Divine Emotions: On the Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Religious Belief

Authors: Paweł Łowicki, Marcin Zajenkowski

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 6/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

There have been only few attempts to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and religiosity. However, none of them included measures of ability EI. In two studies, we investigated the potential associations between various aspects of religious belief and ability and trait EI. In Study 1 (N = 240), we found that ability EI was positively associated with general level of religious belief. Study 2, conducted among Polish Christians (N = 159), replicated the previous result on the connection between ability EI and religion. Moreover, both trait and ability EI were negatively correlated with extrinsic religious orientation and negative religious coping. Additional analysis showed that extrinsic orientation mediated the relationship between ability EI and religiosity.
Literature
go back to reference Ai, A. L., Pargament, K. I., Kronfoi, Z., Tice, T. N., & Appel, H. (2010). Pathways to postoperative hostility in cardiac patients. Journal of Health Psychology, 15, 186–195.CrossRefPubMed Ai, A. L., Pargament, K. I., Kronfoi, Z., Tice, T. N., & Appel, H. (2010). Pathways to postoperative hostility in cardiac patients. Journal of Health Psychology, 15, 186–195.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Allen, D. (1997). Ascetic theology and psychology. In R. C. Roberts & M. R. Talbot (Eds.), Limning the psyche: Explorations in Christian psychology (pp. 297–316). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. Allen, D. (1997). Ascetic theology and psychology. In R. C. Roberts & M. R. Talbot (Eds.), Limning the psyche: Explorations in Christian psychology (pp. 297–316). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
go back to reference Allport, G. W., & Ross, J. M. (1967). Personal religious orientation and prejudice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5, 432–443.CrossRefPubMed Allport, G. W., & Ross, J. M. (1967). Personal religious orientation and prejudice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5, 432–443.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Austin, E. J. (2005). Emotional intelligence and emotional information processing. Personality and Individual Differences, 39(2), 403–414.CrossRef Austin, E. J. (2005). Emotional intelligence and emotional information processing. Personality and Individual Differences, 39(2), 403–414.CrossRef
go back to reference Austin, E. J., Saklofske, D. H., & Egan, V. (2005). Personality, well-being and health correlates of trait emotional intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(3), 547–558.CrossRef Austin, E. J., Saklofske, D. H., & Egan, V. (2005). Personality, well-being and health correlates of trait emotional intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(3), 547–558.CrossRef
go back to reference Barlow, A., Qualter, P., & Stylianou, M. (2010). Relationships between Machiavellianism, emotional intelligence and theory of mind in children. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(1), 78–82.CrossRef Barlow, A., Qualter, P., & Stylianou, M. (2010). Relationships between Machiavellianism, emotional intelligence and theory of mind in children. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(1), 78–82.CrossRef
go back to reference Baron-Cohen, S. (1997). Mindblindness: An essay on autism and theory of mind. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Baron-Cohen, S. (1997). Mindblindness: An essay on autism and theory of mind. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
go back to reference Baron-Cohen, S., & Wheelwright, S. (2004). The empathy quotient: An investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism, and normal sex differences. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(2), 163–175.CrossRefPubMed Baron-Cohen, S., & Wheelwright, S. (2004). The empathy quotient: An investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism, and normal sex differences. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(2), 163–175.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Batson, C. D., Schoenrade, P., & Ventis, W. L. (1993). Religion and the individual: A social-psychological perspective. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Batson, C. D., Schoenrade, P., & Ventis, W. L. (1993). Religion and the individual: A social-psychological perspective. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Brackett, M. A., Mayer, J. D., & Warner, R. M. (2004). Emotional intelligence and its relation to everyday behaviour. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(6), 1387–1402.CrossRef Brackett, M. A., Mayer, J. D., & Warner, R. M. (2004). Emotional intelligence and its relation to everyday behaviour. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(6), 1387–1402.CrossRef
go back to reference Bufford, R. K., Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W. (1991). Norms for the spiritual well-being scale. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19(1), 56–70. Bufford, R. K., Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W. (1991). Norms for the spiritual well-being scale. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19(1), 56–70.
go back to reference Butt, F. M. (2014). Emotional intelligence, religious orientation, and mental health among university students. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 29(1), 1. Butt, F. M. (2014). Emotional intelligence, religious orientation, and mental health among university students. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 29(1), 1.
go back to reference Doane, M. J., Elliott, M., & Dyrenforth, P. S. (2014). Extrinsic religious orientation and well-being: Is their negative association real or spurious? Review of Religious Research, 56(1), 45–60.CrossRef Doane, M. J., Elliott, M., & Dyrenforth, P. S. (2014). Extrinsic religious orientation and well-being: Is their negative association real or spurious? Review of Religious Research, 56(1), 45–60.CrossRef
go back to reference Emmons, R. A. (2005). Emotion and religion. In R. F. Paloutzian & C. L. Park (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality (pp. 412–432). New York, NY: Guilford Press. Emmons, R. A. (2005). Emotion and religion. In R. F. Paloutzian & C. L. Park (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality (pp. 412–432). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
go back to reference Extremera, N., Fernández-Berrocal, P., & Salovey, P. (2006). Spanish version of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) Version 2.0: Reliabilities, age and gender differences. Psicothema, 18(Suplemento), 42–48.PubMed Extremera, N., Fernández-Berrocal, P., & Salovey, P. (2006). Spanish version of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) Version 2.0: Reliabilities, age and gender differences. Psicothema, 18(Suplemento), 42–48.PubMed
go back to reference Feltey, K. M., & Poloma, M. M. (1991). From sex differences to gender role beliefs: Exploring effects on six dimensions of religiosity. Sex Roles, 25(3–4), 181–193.CrossRef Feltey, K. M., & Poloma, M. M. (1991). From sex differences to gender role beliefs: Exploring effects on six dimensions of religiosity. Sex Roles, 25(3–4), 181–193.CrossRef
go back to reference Ferguson, F. J., & Austin, E. J. (2010). Associations of trait and ability emotional intelligence with performance on Theory of Mind tasks in an adult sample. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(5), 414–418.CrossRef Ferguson, F. J., & Austin, E. J. (2010). Associations of trait and ability emotional intelligence with performance on Theory of Mind tasks in an adult sample. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(5), 414–418.CrossRef
go back to reference Furnham, A., Petrides, K. V., & Spencer-Bowdage, S. (2002). The effects of different types of social desirability on the identification of repressors. Personality and Individual Differences, 33(1), 119–130.CrossRef Furnham, A., Petrides, K. V., & Spencer-Bowdage, S. (2002). The effects of different types of social desirability on the identification of repressors. Personality and Individual Differences, 33(1), 119–130.CrossRef
go back to reference Gallagher, E. N., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2008). Social support and emotional intelligence as predictors of subjective well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 44(7), 1551–1561.CrossRef Gallagher, E. N., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2008). Social support and emotional intelligence as predictors of subjective well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 44(7), 1551–1561.CrossRef
go back to reference Gervais, W. M. (2013). Perceiving minds and gods: How mind perception enables, constrains, and is triggered by belief in gods. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(4), 380–394.CrossRefPubMed Gervais, W. M. (2013). Perceiving minds and gods: How mind perception enables, constrains, and is triggered by belief in gods. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(4), 380–394.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Gervais, W. M., & Norenzayan, A. (2012). Analytic thinking promotes religious disbelief. Science, 336(6080), 493–496.CrossRefPubMed Gervais, W. M., & Norenzayan, A. (2012). Analytic thinking promotes religious disbelief. Science, 336(6080), 493–496.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Geyer, A. L., & Baumeister, R. F. (2005). Religion, morality, and self-control: Values, virtues, and vices. In R. F. Paloutzian & C. L. Park (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality (pp. 412–432). New York, NY: Guilford Press. Geyer, A. L., & Baumeister, R. F. (2005). Religion, morality, and self-control: Values, virtues, and vices. In R. F. Paloutzian & C. L. Park (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality (pp. 412–432). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
go back to reference GUS. (2013). Wyznania Religijne – Stowarzyszenia Narodowościowe i Etniczne w Polsce 2009–2011 [Religious denominations—National and Ethnic Societies in Poland from 2009 to 2011]. Warsaw: GUS. GUS. (2013). Wyznania Religijne – Stowarzyszenia Narodowościowe i Etniczne w Polsce 2009–2011 [Religious denominations—National and Ethnic Societies in Poland from 2009 to 2011]. Warsaw: GUS.
go back to reference Hayes, A. F. (2015). An index and test of linear moderated mediation. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 50, 1–22.CrossRefPubMed Hayes, A. F. (2015). An index and test of linear moderated mediation. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 50, 1–22.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lewis, C. A., Maltby, J., & Day, L. (2005). Religious orientation, religious coping and happiness among UK adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(5), 1193–1202.CrossRef Lewis, C. A., Maltby, J., & Day, L. (2005). Religious orientation, religious coping and happiness among UK adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(5), 1193–1202.CrossRef
go back to reference Liu, C. C. (2010). The relationship between personal religious orientation and emotional intelligence. Social Behavior and Personality, 38, 461–468.CrossRef Liu, C. C. (2010). The relationship between personal religious orientation and emotional intelligence. Social Behavior and Personality, 38, 461–468.CrossRef
go back to reference Łowicki, P., Zajenkowski, M. (in press). No empathy for people nor for God: The relationship between the Dark Triad, religiosity and empathy. Personality and Individual Differences. Łowicki, P., Zajenkowski, M. (in press). No empathy for people nor for God: The relationship between the Dark Triad, religiosity and empathy. Personality and Individual Differences.
go back to reference Maltby, J., & Day, L. (2003). Religious orientation, religious coping and appraisals of stress: Assessing primary appraisal factors in the relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 34(7), 1209–1224.CrossRef Maltby, J., & Day, L. (2003). Religious orientation, religious coping and appraisals of stress: Assessing primary appraisal factors in the relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 34(7), 1209–1224.CrossRef
go back to reference Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., & Day, L. (1999). Religious orientation and psychological well-being: The role of the frequency of personal prayer. British Journal of Health Psychology, 4(4), 363–378.CrossRef Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., & Day, L. (1999). Religious orientation and psychological well-being: The role of the frequency of personal prayer. British Journal of Health Psychology, 4(4), 363–378.CrossRef
go back to reference Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., Freeman, A., Day, L., Cruise, S. M., & Breslin, M. J. (2010). Religion and health: The application of a cognitive-behavioural framework. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 13(7–8), 749–759.CrossRef Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., Freeman, A., Day, L., Cruise, S. M., & Breslin, M. J. (2010). Religion and health: The application of a cognitive-behavioural framework. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 13(7–8), 749–759.CrossRef
go back to reference Matthews, G., Zeidner, M., & Roberts, R. D. (2004). Emotional intelligence: Science and myth. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Matthews, G., Zeidner, M., & Roberts, R. D. (2004). Emotional intelligence: Science and myth. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
go back to reference Mayer, J. D., & Salovey, P. (1997). What is emotional intelligence? In P. Salovey & D. Sluyter (Eds.), Emotional development and emotional intelligence: Implications for educators (pp. 3–31). New York, NY: Basic Books. Mayer, J. D., & Salovey, P. (1997). What is emotional intelligence? In P. Salovey & D. Sluyter (Eds.), Emotional development and emotional intelligence: Implications for educators (pp. 3–31). New York, NY: Basic Books.
go back to reference McCullough, M. E., & Willoughby, B. L. (2009). Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications. Psychological Bulletin, 135(1), 69.CrossRefPubMed McCullough, M. E., & Willoughby, B. L. (2009). Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications. Psychological Bulletin, 135(1), 69.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Navara, G. S., & James, S. (2005). Acculturative stress of missionaries: Does religious orientation affect religious coping and adjustment? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(1), 39–58.CrossRef Navara, G. S., & James, S. (2005). Acculturative stress of missionaries: Does religious orientation affect religious coping and adjustment? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(1), 39–58.CrossRef
go back to reference Paek, E. (2006). Religiosity and perceived emotional intelligence among Christians. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 479–490.CrossRef Paek, E. (2006). Religiosity and perceived emotional intelligence among Christians. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 479–490.CrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
go back to reference Pargament, K. I., Feuille, M., & Burdzy, D. (2011). The Brief RCOPE: Current psychometric status of a short measure of religious coping. Religions, 2(1), 51–76.CrossRef Pargament, K. I., Feuille, M., & Burdzy, D. (2011). The Brief RCOPE: Current psychometric status of a short measure of religious coping. Religions, 2(1), 51–76.CrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 519–543.CrossRefPubMed Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 519–543.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Park, C., Cohen, L. H., & Herb, L. (1990). Intrinsic religiousness and religious coping as life stress moderators for Catholics versus Protestants. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(3), 562.CrossRefPubMed Park, C., Cohen, L. H., & Herb, L. (1990). Intrinsic religiousness and religious coping as life stress moderators for Catholics versus Protestants. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(3), 562.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Pérez, J. C., Petrides, K. V., & Furnham, A. (2005). Measuring trait emotional intelligence. In R. Schulze & R. D. Roberts (Eds.), International handbook of emotional intelligence. Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe & Huber. Pérez, J. C., Petrides, K. V., & Furnham, A. (2005). Measuring trait emotional intelligence. In R. Schulze & R. D. Roberts (Eds.), International handbook of emotional intelligence. Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe & Huber.
go back to reference Petrides, K. V., & Furnham, A. (2006). The role of trait emotional intelligence in a gender-specific model of organizational variables. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 552–569.CrossRef Petrides, K. V., & Furnham, A. (2006). The role of trait emotional intelligence in a gender-specific model of organizational variables. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 552–569.CrossRef
go back to reference Rounding, K., Lee, A., Jacobson, J. A., & Ji, L. J. (2012). Religion replenishes self-control. Psychological Science, 23(6), 635–642.CrossRefPubMed Rounding, K., Lee, A., Jacobson, J. A., & Ji, L. J. (2012). Religion replenishes self-control. Psychological Science, 23(6), 635–642.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 9, 185–211.CrossRef Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 9, 185–211.CrossRef
go back to reference Schutte, N. S., Malouff, J. M., Simunek, M., McKenley, J., & Hollander, S. (2002). Characteristic emotional intelligence and emotional well-being. Cognition and Emotion, 16(6), 769–785.CrossRef Schutte, N. S., Malouff, J. M., Simunek, M., McKenley, J., & Hollander, S. (2002). Characteristic emotional intelligence and emotional well-being. Cognition and Emotion, 16(6), 769–785.CrossRef
go back to reference Silberman, I. (2003). Spiritual role modeling: The teaching of meaning systems. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 13, 175–195.CrossRef Silberman, I. (2003). Spiritual role modeling: The teaching of meaning systems. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 13, 175–195.CrossRef
go back to reference Socha, P. M. (1999). Ways religious orientations work: A Polish replication of measurement of religious orientations. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9(3), 209–228.CrossRef Socha, P. M. (1999). Ways religious orientations work: A Polish replication of measurement of religious orientations. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9(3), 209–228.CrossRef
go back to reference Talik, E. B. (2013). The adolescent religious coping questionnaire. Translation and cultural adaptation of Pargament’s RCOPE scale for polish adolescents. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(1), 143–158.CrossRefPubMed Talik, E. B. (2013). The adolescent religious coping questionnaire. Translation and cultural adaptation of Pargament’s RCOPE scale for polish adolescents. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(1), 143–158.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Vishkin, A., Bigman, Y., & Tamir, M. (2014). Religion, emotion regulation, and well-being. In C. Kim-Prieto (Ed.), Religion and spirituality across cultures (pp. 247–269). Dordrecht: Springer. Vishkin, A., Bigman, Y., & Tamir, M. (2014). Religion, emotion regulation, and well-being. In C. Kim-Prieto (Ed.), Religion and spirituality across cultures (pp. 247–269). Dordrecht: Springer.
go back to reference Watts, F. (2007). Emotion regulation and religion. In J. J. Gross (Ed.), Handbook of emotion regulation (pp. 504–520). New York, NY: Guilford Press. Watts, F. (2007). Emotion regulation and religion. In J. J. Gross (Ed.), Handbook of emotion regulation (pp. 504–520). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
go back to reference Waytz, A., Gray, K., Epley, N., & Wegner, D. M. (2010). Causes and consequences of mindperception. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 14(8), 383–388.CrossRefPubMed Waytz, A., Gray, K., Epley, N., & Wegner, D. M. (2010). Causes and consequences of mindperception. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 14(8), 383–388.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Willard, A. K., & Norenzayan, A. (2013). Cognitive biases explain religious belief, paranormal belief, and belief in life’s purpose. Cognition, 129, 379–391.CrossRefPubMed Willard, A. K., & Norenzayan, A. (2013). Cognitive biases explain religious belief, paranormal belief, and belief in life’s purpose. Cognition, 129, 379–391.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Wytykowska, A., & Petrides, K. V. (2007). Inteligencja emocjonalna jako dyspozycja. Polska adaptacja skali do badania inteligencji emocjonalnej jako cechy: TEIQue Petridesa i Furnhama. [Emotional intelligence as disposition. Polish adaptation of scale measuring emotional intelligence as a trait: TEIQue by Petrides & Furnham.] Psychologia. Edukacja i Społeczeństwo, 4, 97–110. Wytykowska, A., & Petrides, K. V. (2007). Inteligencja emocjonalna jako dyspozycja. Polska adaptacja skali do badania inteligencji emocjonalnej jako cechy: TEIQue Petridesa i Furnhama. [Emotional intelligence as disposition. Polish adaptation of scale measuring emotional intelligence as a trait: TEIQue by Petrides & Furnham.] Psychologia. Edukacja i Społeczeństwo, 4, 97–110.
go back to reference Zuckerman, M., Silberman, J., & Hall, J. A. (2013). The relation between intelligence and religiosity: A meta-analysis and some proposed explanations. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 17, 1–30.CrossRef Zuckerman, M., Silberman, J., & Hall, J. A. (2013). The relation between intelligence and religiosity: A meta-analysis and some proposed explanations. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 17, 1–30.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Divine Emotions: On the Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Religious Belief
Authors
Paweł Łowicki
Marcin Zajenkowski
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0335-3

Other articles of this Issue 6/2017

Journal of Religion and Health 6/2017 Go to the issue